The Star Beast Read Online Free

took another look. “Is that Betty Sorenson?”
    “Of course it is. And I must say, Chief, that after all the years you’ve taught Sunday School I never thought I would live to hear you use such language. If that is setting a good example, I think I’ll…”
    “Young lady, hold your tongue.”
    “Me? But you were the one who was using…”
    “Quiet! I’ve had all I can take today. You get that suit to buzzing and hop out of here. This is official business. Now get out.”
    She glanced at John Thomas and winked, then set her face in cherubic innocence. “But, Chief, I can’t.”
    “Huh? Why not?”
    “I’m out of juice. This was an emergency landing.”
    “Betty, you quit fibbing to me.”
    “Me? Fibbing? Why, Deacon Dreiser!”
    “I’ll deacon you. If your tanks are dry, get down off that beast and walk home. He’s dangerous.”
    “Lummie dangerous? Lummie wouldn’t hurt a fly. And besides, do you want me to walk home alone? On a country road? When it’s almost dark? I’m surprised at you.”
    Dreiser sputtered and closed the window. Betty wiggled out of her harness and settled back in the wider seat that Lummox had provided without being told. John Thomas looked at her. “Hi, Slugger.”
    “Hi, Knothead.”
    “I didn’t know you knew the Chief.”
    “I know everybody. Now shut up. I’ve gotten here, with all speed and much inconvenience, as soon as I heard the newscast. You and Lummox between you could not manage to think your way out of this, even with Lummox doing most of the work—so I rallied around. Now give me the grisly details. Don’t hold anything back from mama.”
    “Smart Alec.”
    “Don’t waste time on compliments. This will probably be our only chance for a private word before they start worrying you, so you had better talk fast.”
    “Huh? What do you think you are? A lawyer?”
    “I’m better than a lawyer, my mind is not cluttered with stale precedents. I can be creative about it.”
    “Well…” Actually he felt better now that Betty was present It was no longer just Lummox and himself against an unfriendly world. He poured out the story while she listened soberly.
    “Anybody hurt?” she asked at last.
    “I don’t think so. At least they didn’t mention it.”
    “They would have.” She sat up straight. “Then we’ve got nothing to worry about.”
    “What? With hundreds, maybe thousands, in damage? I’d like to know what you call trouble?”
    “People getting hurt,” she answered. “Anything else can be managed. Maybe we’ll have Lummox go through bankruptcy.”
    “Huh? That’s silly!”
    “If you think that is silly, you’ve never been in a law court.”
    “Have you?”
    “Don’t change the subject. After all, Lummox was attacked with a deadly weapon.”
    “It didn’t hurt him; it just singed him a little.”
    “Beside the point. It undoubtedly caused him great mental anguish. I’m not sure he was responsible for anything that happened afterwards. Be quiet and let me think.”
    “Do you mind if I think, too?”
    “Not as long as I don’t hear the gears grind. Pipe down.”
    The parade continued to the Stuart home in silence. Betty gave him one piece of advice as they stopped. “Admit nothing. Nothing . And don’t sign anything. Holler if you need me.”
    Mrs. Stuart did not come out to meet them. Chief Dreiser inspected the gap in the grating with John Thomas, with Lummox hanging over their shoulders. The Chief watched in silence as John Thomas took a string and tied it across the opening.
    “There! Now he can’t get out again.”
    Dreiser pulled at his lip. “Son, are you all right in the head?”
    “You don’t understand, sir. The grating wouldn’t stop him even if we did repair it…not if he wanted to get out. I don’t know anything that would. But that string will. Lummox!”
    “Yes, Johnnie?”
    “See that string?”
    “Yes, Johnnie.”
    “You bust that string and I’ll bust your silly head. Understand me?”
    “Yes,